New Delhi: The draft of the medical fitness
norms for entry into the armed forces is ready and has been
sent to all the three services directorates -- Army, Air Force
and Navy -- for their approval.

Titled `Armed Forces Manual of Medical Standards for
Initial Medical Examination, 2011`, the draft contains details
of all medical standards required for commissioning and
recruitment to the three wings of the Indian Armed Forces,
that have been rationalised based on medical evidence, said
Lieutenant General Mandeep Singh, Director General Hospital
Services of the armed forces.

"This is happening after a decade. Our main aim is to
have common medical criteria for all, except special cases. We
intend to get the best to join the armed forces. That is why
we have decided to incorporate those people fit to join the
armed forces who have minor disability," he said.

This draft has been compiled after a period of six months
of rigorous brainstorming by senior consultant medicine,
Lieutenant General A C Anand and the senior advisers of
various specialities of Base hospital and Army hospital
Research and Referral including representatives of the Army,
Navy and Air Force.

Citing an example, Singh said, "Earlier we never
incorporated in the Services people who had Lasik surgery
done. Now we have decided to give them a chance if they meet
the conditions attached with it. For example, the post
surgical period corneal thickness etc at the time of
recruitment will be looked into.

"In Lasik treatment, the thickness of the cornea reduces.
The training given to new entrants is rigorous and it (cornea)
could be damaged during the training period. So, we have
decided to induct people with Lasik surgery but meeting some
certain acceptable limits."